IT’S BEEN A busy morning at Gorse Hill.
The grounds of the south Dublin mansion have been the venue for some bizarre scenes over recent weeks – most notably, on the day Vincent Browne led a group of journalists and cameramen into the garden, asserting “this is bank property”.
Midday today marked the deadline for Brian O’Donnell and his family to leave the Killiney house – and reporters gathered once again at the gates from early today, not sure what to expect.
But it appeared the family had decided against making a stand and barricading themselves in. A removal truck was driven first from the gates – followed, in separate journeys, by cars containing Mary Patricia O’Donnell, and then her husband.
After he left Killiney this morning, the solicitor – who has been engaged in a public battle with Bank of Ireland over whether he should be allowed remain at the house – headed to straight to UCD to confront BoI boss Richie Boucher, handing back the keys as the CEO arrived for the institution’s AGM.
A group of his supporters from the New Land League – including former developer Jerry Beades, who has become a de-facto spokesman for the O’Donnells – remained at the property as receivers arrived later this afternoon.
After speaking briefly to Beades, they entered the grounds – accompanied by gardaí.
As O’Donnell handed the keys of the mansion to Boucher at UCD, Beades and his supporters earlier posted a notice on the gates of Gorse Hill, asserting it was still property of Vico Ltd.
Beades also told the media the locks had been changed (meaning the set handed to the BoI boss were effectively useless).
The New Land League leader later left the scene - after the receivers arrived.
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